Page 55 of The Devil's Daughter

“What do you have to be nervous about? I thought you were sure we weren’t in any danger.”

“I don’t think you are. That doesn’t mean I’m not terrified of what he thinks.”

“That explains the dress. It’s not what I’d expect, and nothing like the snapshot Baz sent me of the dress you picked for tomorrow.”

She looks down at herself, flaring the wide skirt with her hands. “Ines… the tailor… had this in their collection. She offered it when I told her I didn’t have anything decent to wear for a casual supper. I’dhopedfor battle armor, but this was good enough. I just couldn’t stop thinking about how hedoesn’treally know me. We’ve spentoneChristmas together right after that whole ordeal with Mason, and I left for college a few months later. I don’t want him to get the wrong idea. I want him to like me.”

“You want my honest opinion? I don’t think it would matter to him if you showed up in a burlap sack. You’re his daughter. You’re so important to him, he called in a favor from one of the richest men in the country to protect you. Try not to overthink this. He will probably kill the three of us by the end of the night, butyouhe’ll just pat on the cheek and say,‘You’re beautiful,mija. Never change.’”

She doesn’t look convinced, so I hand her my drink and she takes another sip.

The sound of a speedboat approaching makes us all turn toward the island. Baz rises and Drake rushes out of the lounge, past the dining room and galley, and toward the stern of the boat. We follow, reaching the rear deck just as he heads down the steps to the bathing platform at the end of the lower deck.

“Moment of truth,” Baz murmurs. “Kiss me, Elle.” He turns to her, and she gives him an astonished look.

“Why?”

“Because it might be my last chance.”

“Oh, god. For the last time, he won’t hurt you guys. And I told you I’d make it up to you both after he’s gone.”

“You already know you owe me big time,” Baz says just before she kisses him. He grips her hips with both hands, then lets out a groan as his hands roam south to squeeze her ass.

She slips away to go stand at the rail overlooking the platform below, where the speedboat Arturo took from Catalina is docking. Evidently, he opted to fly himself out solo, taking the small plane he owns from the airport to the airstrip on the island, then a speedboat across the harbor to where we’re anchored.

“What the hell was that about?” I ask in a low voice.

“It’s a surprise,” Baz says, smirking at me before going to join Elle at the rail.

I’m annoyed, but at least I’ve stopped fearing for my life, for the time being.

My intrigue over Elle’ssurprisedisappears when Arturo climbs the steps up from the platform below. His wavy salt-and-pepper hair and goatee look freshly trimmed, and his cream-colored suit is immaculate. I’m relieved to note that he isn’t carrying his gun, either. His jacket hangs open, revealing nothing but his fit midsection beneath a sky-blue dress shirt when he reaches the top step. Drake is close behind, looking all business as the pair join us.

“Papá, it’s so good to see you. Thank you for coming all this way,” Elle says, capturing his attention immediately and moving close for a hug.

“Mija, it’s been too long. My fault for not making more time to spend with you. You’re doing well in school? How is the new internship working? Aside from all this nonsense.” He waves his hand at the boat, as if whatever threat we’re hiding from is no big deal.

“I thought you kept tabs on me. Don’t you already know the answers to all that?” Despite her sweet tone, the challenge is evident, if not blatant.

I brace myself, but Papá Flores just chuckles and pats her cheek. “You’re smart like your sisters, I will give you that. And I admit to keeping tabs on you for most of your life, but not lately. I’m trusting Drake and the twins to keep you safe now. I taught the twins everything they know.”

She darts a quick look my way, smiling. “Well, they’re good at their jobs. But we’re at a loss right now. Can you help us? Do you know anything about who might be after Drake?”

He waves a hand and looks at me, then turns to glance at Baz, who still leans against the rail behind him. “There will be time for that later. Right now, I think the twins and I need to have a talk. If you don’t mind.”

“Not at all,” she says. She nods to Drake, who follows her back toward the lounge.

Just before they disappear, Drake lifts his hand to the small of her back, and I look at Papá, gauging his reaction. He’s attentive, but I see no sign of dismay, only a tiny tightening around his eyes before he returns his gaze to me, his stare intense.

Baz and I both remain still, waiting for him to make the first move. I hope I come off as standing my ground, even though inside I’m battling the flight instinct. Every part of me wants to disappear back into that bedroom with Drake, Elle, and my brother and never come out.

“Do you want a drink?” I ask, deciding to make the first move, because fuck waiting. Maybe if he drinks a little, it’ll give me an advantage.

“Scotch, if you have it,” he says.

I nod and gesture to the breakfast table the four of us share each morning. “I’ll be right back.”

In the lounge, Elle and Drake are seated a chaste distance apart. Elle holds a fizzy drink with a cherry floating at the top.

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